NORTHWEST AIRLINES AND TRANSAVIA FORM CODE-SHARE AND FREQUENT FLYER PROGRAM AGREEMENT

Partnership will Strengthen Service to Popular Southern Europe Destinations

Northwest Airlines and Transavia Airlines today announced that they have signed a code-share and frequent flyer program agreement. Northwest’s partnership with the European carrier will improve travel benefits between North America and popular destinations in southern Europe via convenient connections at Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport. The frequent flyer program agreement is effective immediately while the code-share agreement has been filed with the government and is expected to be approved within 90 days.

Transavia is majority owned by KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Northwest’s global alliance partner, and is based in Amsterdam. Under the agreement, Northwest will initially put its flight code on Transavia’s scheduled service between Amsterdam and the Italian cities of Pisa, Napels and Catania, and the Portuguese cities of Faro, Porto and Funchal. Code-share service will be expanded to other European destinations as government approvals are received. In addition, Northwest’s WorldPerks frequent flyer members can earn and redeem travel awards on Northwest/Transavia code-share flights.

The code-share flights will feature “seamless” service including issuance of all boarding passes at initial check-in, luggage checked to final destination and convenient flight connections at Schiphol Airport. Schiphol is consistently rated as one of the top airports in the world based on convenience, entertainment options and shopping opportunities.

“Northwest’s partnership with Transavia will complement our strong alliance with KLM,” said Douglas Birdsall, Northwest senior vice president-alliances. “KLM and Northwest with other partners operate a large hub at Amsterdam which offers a convenient transfer point to and from Transavia flights. Transavia’s modern fleet and service reputation will also benefit Northwest travelers.”

“The new joint service is the start of a successful commercial agreement between Northwest and Transavia,” said Willem Hondius, Transavia vice president-marketing. “The agreement, which will make it easier for our passengers to fly from the United States to sunny southern European destinations and back on a single ticket, offers Transavia an excellent opportunity to make further inroads in the North American market.”

Established in 1966, Transavia operates a modern fleet of Boeing aircraft including 737-300, 737-800 and 757-200 with an average age of four years. It operates scheduled and charter service to more than 70 business and leisure destinations. With a market share of more than 40 percent, Transavia is the leading Dutch “holiday carrier” to the Mediterranean region.

Northwest Airlines is the world’s fourth largest airline offering more than 2,600 daily departures with hubs at Detroit, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Memphis, Tokyo and Amsterdam. With its travel partners, Northwest serves more than 750 cities in over 120 countries on six continents. Based on statistics compiled by the U.S. Department of Transportation, Northwest was the most on-time U.S. airline among the seven largest network carriers for the period 1990-1999. Northwest was the 2000 recipient of Air Transport World magazine’s “Airline Technology Management” award. Northwest’s WorldPerks frequent flyer program is the highest rated U.S.-based program reviewed by InsideFlyer magazine, the leading authority on airline free travel programs, and received the special “Industry Impact Award” during InsideFlyer’s 12th Annual Freddie Awards. Northwest’s nwa.com was chosen as best airline web site by Gomez Advisors for summer and fall 2000 and was judged best in the airline web site category for business and leisure travelers.